The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-19
A VERY DISMAL FAILURE.
THAT FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN
HONOR OF THE PRESIDENT.
A Disguised Citizen Speaks Out In
Notwithstanding Keeling Explains
Why People should Not Criticisc
Harshls.

"Do you think that the entire program
70 carefully studied and arranged by the
several committees who had charge Of the
presidential reception was fully and salts
f~actorily carried out?" asked an APPEAL
man of a leading citizen yesterday.
81 felt very much interested in the sue
cess OF the reception TO the President and
had carefully studied the preparations and
performances in other cities which he Wis
tied" was the reply, lin order to see how
handsomely We would acquit ourselves,
and ! think with one exception That every
detail was complete and that the President
and his wife appreciated it hugely"
what is your cXception?'
"Why, that abomlnable attempt at
fireworks display. OF all the
dismal and ineXcusable failures on
such an occasion ] think it was the
worst. When | think OF the care
and expense that was gone TO to make
it one OF the leading features OF n occa-
sion, especially as it was to be an intro
duction to the President OF the festivities
which he might expect to follow, and when
altar he and the thousands Of people had
especially gathered On the grand stand
and along the river bank TO witness il, and
, then to see them out in mid river on six
immense bargcs, which had been chartered
20 lend dignity and beauty to the display,
now and then shoot n puny sky.rockct
about fifteen feet in the air, emit u tiny
red or blue star and iizzlc out, il made
me tired. ID was plain that the President
was Disguised, 70 were all Of his party and
everybody else. Now the company
got 81, 900 for what they gave us, and II
sky rockets had been worth - apiece |
could have taken that amount and made q
better display. Instead Of squandering all
that money the committee had better
taken the half Of il and bought Roman
candles and fire crackers and put them in
the hands Of the boys on the streets, who
would have enjoyed shooting them, and
made a better showing with them, too.
As | have said, everything went Off trst'
class style except the fireworks, and they
were n snare and dclusion."
The above is an ordinary sample of the
tenor in which dozens Of others spoke IN
regard to the fireworks display.
Secretary Keeling, OF the Merchants eX-
change, when spoken 10 in regard to the
matter, said: ~ am free 20 say that the
fireworks were a disappointment. an
able to say that the company which FUR
nished them made no money out Of the
display, and took the contract for 81 goo,
not with a view TO making anything oui
of il, but .morc as an advertisement
Another thing The superintendent OF the
company, Who came here from New loIk.
objected seriously Ia giving the exhibit
from the bargcs u in the river, but in
sisted that they should he right ut tho
rivers edge. The committee, though.
oycrrulcd him, thinking that the displa.
would bc more effective from mid river
The company brought some cost!
exhibits here. They paid all the ex
penscs Of four men sent her
and the ircights ont OF the 5000. ] know
that their expenses and ircights amounte'
Ia at least Sj0O. That picture Of Clevelan'
cost over 500. The Goddess Of libert.
cost a good deal more. The thousand sk.
rockets. which afforded u beautiful sight
went of prcmaturcly, having been ignite
by a spark from one VI the batteries. Thn
was unfortunate, rs IL was intended TO b
the closing scene. No, ! do not think tia
the conpany should he harhly criticised
' Tor they dill their best with the money {
command